Tough time out of work for John-Joe O’Toole before Mansfield Town rescued new Stags star’s career
![Mansfield Town's John-Joe O'Toole in action.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNlYTYzYTkwLTY5ZWUtNDcwOS04NmVjLWNiOGNhM2IwYjNlNjo1MWZiZjExMC00YmNmLTQ0YTEtYmRhMC1lMTIwMDVmYjYwNGE=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Mansfield Town's John-Joe O'Toole in action.](/img/placeholder.png)
O'Toole had been released by Burton Albion, where he previously worked with Stags boss Nigel Clough, and was unable to find a club until Stags took him in as a free agent in late October when the 33-year-old admits he was wondering if his career was over.
“I had been trialling a few places and when it doesn't work out you start to think you may have to do something else,” he said.
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Hide Ad“You can't trial places from pillar to post and get turned away from places forever.
He added: “You speak to your agent and you have to pester people just to get your foot in the door and I didn't ever think it would be that hard to get a few training sessions here and there.
“I wasn't good enough last season which was probably a big factor in that, but I knew I still had so much to offer. You reassess and re-evaluate what's right.
“That's what kept me going - when you keep getting refused at places and training by yourself in an open park with a few cones and a half-inflated football.
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Hide Ad“It does give you a bit of a kick up the backside and all I kept getting told was I was over 30 and people were writing you off.”
He added: “It was quite a tough few months after being released from Burton and everything up in the air. You do start to question how long you will be doing this for.
“I finally got a chance here, everyone has been brilliant and welcoming and I think I have contributed quite well.
“It's all been worth it. I knew I had more to give and I feel pretty good for 33 – better than I thought I would at this age. I've got a good few years left in me and it's going well.”
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Hide AdHis fine form at Mansfield attracted attention from elsewhere, including a better financial offer from a League One side, but O'Toole eventually signed a two and a half year deal with Stags.
“With the manager and the way things are going here, all in all it was the best place for me,” he smiled.
“The set-up, everything about the club has been really good.
“I had to seriously consider the other offer I had, but in the end it was too good here to move on. I am delighted it's all done. I enjoy coming in every day.
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Hide Ad“I'd like to thank everyone here for getting the deal done as it had been hanging over us a little bit as I was only a short term deal and you're uncertain how long you're going to be there. Plus there was that interest from elsewhere.
“So I am delighted it's all done now and I can concentrate on doing my best for the football club.”
O'Toole might have moved to the other club for more money at 33, but said: “I signed here for footballing reasons and a few personal issues which cemented it as well.
“I knew what I was getting here whereas if you move somewhere else you are moving your family.
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Hide Ad“Where I live at the minute I can travel in here which really helps.
“You have to weight up everything which is not easy with so many variables. But I think I have made the right decision and things are going well.”